Thank goodness 2011 is over. It really has been my annus horribilus. I don't like to whinge and whine in this space, but seriously, this year had quite a few sucky bits!

A New Years Day ambulance trip and a week in hospital, another few days in hospital having lots of horrible tests, and eventually being listed for transplant....

There were various battles over medical funding with both federal and state beauracracy.......... and then there was that false alarm....

Just for my own amusement, I'm going back to the list that I made at the start of the year to see what I managed to tick off.

Stay out of hospital (that one actually is my number one priority)! (half tick)

Have more fun (half tick)

Work on more illustrations (half tick)

Work on more textile art pieces (half tick)

Apply to take part in a group exhibition (gold star - I took part in 2 this year)

Indulge more in my love of eating lunch at nice cafes (gold star)

Remember that exercise is a necessary evil (half tick - I haven't missed many PR sessions)

Spend more time properly planning meals and cooking for myself (fail - no interest in cooking)

Experiment with more coffee blends and make a shortlist of my favourites (half tick)

Procrastinate less (have decided that procrastination is actually part of my creative process)

Remember that me time on the couch watching trashy tv is good for my soul (half tick)

Improve my writing skills (fail)

De-clutter more of my life (gold star)

Overall, I'm pretty happy with that list of things.

There's no list for this year - living in limbo, and waiting for a phone call that will change your life forever sort of negates the need for any forward planning. I'm not going to indulge/frustrate my inner control freak by making plans that I know I can't keep.

Instead, here's a teeny tiny little look back at some really amazing stuff that happened in 2011.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

It's being teamed with this lovely Cooper St jacket that I picked up at the oppy a few weeks ago, and my Dorothy Shoes (of course)

I'd normally try to get away and have a bit of a holiday at this time, but this year I need to stay in Melbourne so that I'm close enough to the hospital just in case the phone rings in the middle of the night.

Anyway, today is the perfect opportunity to thank each and every person who takes the time to read this little blog every day, everyone who leaves a comment, and every lovely customer who has made a purchase from my shop during the year.

Making stuff, stocking my online shop, and blogging are the motivations that keep me going each and every day........ and every reader, every comment, and every purchase spurs me on to keep going, instead of just giving up.

So I just wanted to say thankyou... and Merry Christmas.

Cam x

... and I couldn't resist a little photo of my nephews and their nextdoor neighbours sprinkling Magic Reindeer Dust on Christmas Eve

Friday, December 23, 2011

Unfortunately the dreaded lurgy has decided to visit and ruined my motivation and energy to do anything much.... but I forced myself back to the sewing machine yesterday afternoon to finish the Christmas pressies.

I'm giving my little nephews a Lego type gift each.

I really struggled to find an appropriate Lego for the twins who are 3 1/2. There seems to be a real gap in the market between babyish type Lego and the 5-12 age group.

Of course, what I love more than the Lego, is the Lego bag!

Nice bright durable cotton drill with a panel of gorgeous Lego fabric by Susie from Flowerpress.... and in different colours so that there are no arguments.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

So many beautiful things have landed on my doorstep lately, that it seriously feels like Santa has already been to visit.

This one arrived last week all the way from the UK. Lynsey from Cuteable and Swirly Arts sent me all these amazing treats.

Whoops! One of the Tunnocks Tea Cakes is already missing in this shot, and those Thorntons Chocolate Chunk Cookies are TDF. I've been limiting myself to two per day to make them last.... and vintage fabric and gorgeous tags and my BIL's favourite - Wagon Wheels!

My lovely friend Carly popped in to visit last weekend with a pressie for me - check out the specs cleaning cloth. So much prettier than the ugly grey ones that came with my new specs.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

With no cardboard on hand, I went out searching in the dark unknown depths of the garage stash and found some different size embroidery hoops (just another thing I hoard from the oppy even though I don't embroider), and some random balls of yarn.

I didn't have anything red or green, but orange and turquoise was close enough!

I faffed around with it for a few nights on the couch. I was a bit mesmerised watching Kev on Go Girls instead of concentrating on the wrapping...

But, once I'd finished all that wrapping, I thought it was missing something... it just wasn't quite Christmassy enough - but I had an IDEA.

Back out to the dark depths of the garage for another search.... this time I was looking for wire, and my wire beading jig (another thing I haven't used in the last 5 years).

When I opened the box labelled 'Wire Beading Jig'.....surprise surprise I found my long lost hot glue gun - HALLELUJAH!

I'm still working on all of my organising and de-cluttering at Chez CurlyPops.

Christmas seems to be the time of year when we all accumulate more and more stuff, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to interview the Master of Organisation, Lissanne Oliver from Sorted!

She even has some tips for the holiday season - perfect for us creative types!

1. How long have you been a professional organiser?

My whole entire life (43 years). Started in kindy apparently - thank you Dr Maria Montessori! Montessori teaches organisation so I think if I didn't have the gene (which I do) kindy would have got me going.

I worked for 16 years in broadcast production; film ,video, stills photography. I had loads of different roles that all involved organising, from reception and production assisting, to editorial assistant and stylist. I also worked in props and wardrobe, produced websites and CD Roms (when new media was new!) and my last job before SORTED! was working as a theatrical agent, representing some big names in AUstralian film, television and theatre. I *hated* it. Ghastly workload, no respite, shockingly bad pay (the equivalent of a receptionists wages). So I quit, and thought, I want to have a job that I love. love love love. I heart organising! That's how it happened... and in February 2002, SORTED! was born. It's been a brilliant 10 years! (Tip: we have lots of special free things and discounts and great competitions next year to celebrate, so we'd love you to join our mailing list!)

2. What are your top 5 tips for dealing with clutter?

Don't let it in the door. Stop at the source (I often use a pic of a tomato sauce bottle for this one)

Don't put it down, put it away! Clutter is sometimes just a visually busy space.

Don't wait for the organising fairies to come and save you. Make time to deal with your stuff.

Do keep a permanent box or bag that is destined for charity. Feed it regularly and scoot it away to the op shop.

Do make friends with your bin! Clutter can simply be rubbish or recycling (think old packaging, outdated printed material).

3. If you walked into my house and only had one hour to make a difference, what would you do?

Love this question! I would go straight to your tertiary storage space and help you discard .. no hang on... if I was dying, I'd remind my family, AGAIN, that I am an organ donor...

kidding

If I had an hour at yours, I would first identify what you felt the problem areas are, and/or ask you which space you were most avoiding dealing with (eg paperwork!). I'd then hold your hand (not literally) and step you through doing something you really didn't want to do or felt overwhelmed by. I would be non-judgemental, creative and you would have my attention 100%. That's my job. I love to help, and I LOVE my job.

I know these are not probably the tools that people want to hear about, so I will say I do love my Rexel shredder that will do 100 pages at a time. It's such a strong piece of equipment and saves me time and energy. Plus, I use the shredding in my cat's litter tray!